The Look...Lone Star Sheriffs

You Can Always Learn

Behind his desk, Sheriff Keith Gary of Grayson County, Texas leans toward me and says, “You can quote me on this, I was wrong!”

 

Let me introduce you to my friend Keith Gary.

  Keith was a 5’7” former drum major in college and after graduation, an insurance agent. Somehow by fate, accident, or an act of God he found himself sporting the badge of a U.S. Marshall assigned to East Texas.

  You can call Keith a conservative. He served under Nixon but resigned rather than serve under the Carter administration. With the election of Reagan, he was reappointed. When Clinton was elected, he resigned again and was again reappointed by Bush.

  Now, truth be told, he might have been replaced or not. It doesn’t matter because he didn’t wait around to find out.

  In 1996, he was urged to run for sheriff in a county that had never elected a Republican. He ran against a long seated incumbent and along with two other Republicans began a trend. In 2013, all 23 elected county officials will be GOP!

  To say he is beloved in his county is a statement that I have found can be said for many long-serving Texas Sheriffs. Keith is a gentle natured soul who displays courtesy and respect with the ease of a guardian angel.

  As a matter of fact, as I sit across from him in his office, or attend his Rotary luncheon, or wander around with him. I am ever fascinated by his frankness as we get to know each other. I think of a younger George Burns. I want to stick a short, fat cigar in his hands and take a picture, but he is not going for it.

The G-Man Look

Hat Etiquette, the Cowboy Way

Cowboy Hat Etiquette

by J.B. Blocker 

  I had a few long talks with one of my sheriff mentors and friend Sheriff Tom Maddox of Sabine County, Texas along with several other Texas Sheriffs. 
  We all agreed that the etiquette concerning the Cowboy's hat needed to be public knowledge. 

  Sheriff Tom's grandpa gave him his first boots and hat at age 3, and he's been wearing them ever since! Thanks for the additional input from Sheriffs Bob Holder of Comal County, Dan Law of Caldwell County, Don Sowell of Grimes County, Randy Brown of Medina County, and Keith Gary and the boys of Grayson County.

  The rules aren’t complicated. Heck, I’d just suggest the use of common sense. Of course, there are plenty of folks lacking in that area. They need some guidance. 

  Here are some traditional rules for wearing a cowboy hat.

Learning America

‘The Big Book’ RIP (1893-1993)

Recognizing one of this country’s greatest teachers.   By JB Blocker

The Millennials don’t know about this. Much of the GenX Generation don’t either. As an immigrant from the ‘60’s, the Sears and Roebuck catalogue was one of my best friends. It taught me America!

  The first true Sears catalogue was produced and distributed in 1893. Many others were to follow. It became an iconic life line of what people wanted and needed across America. It you had a mailing address, you could own anything in those pages.

  Clothing, toys, guns, farm tools, kitchen, living room, garage items, even houses and cars stirred the imagination of children from the city streets to farms, fields, and newly discovered parts of this growing country.

I remember in the early ‘70s listening to some old cowboys at the local pool hall in my panhandle farming community. They got in to a discussion about the new Christmas catalogue at the Montgomery Ward’s one day. The talk started over the price of things. But the discussion moved to how they had been making their wish list from those catalogues most of their lives. Those pictures of what the world looked like outside of their world gave them reasons to save their money.

  Studying catalogues allowed America to become aware of the cost of things and how much money they would need to save.

  A few seniors talked about the catalogues as a teaching tool. You could learn how to read while you were learning the value of all those items available from the pages of pictures, descriptions, and prices.

My Crash Course

The Magnetic Ant, GOP Senator New Mexico

 

Who Are These Two? 

 by J.B. Blocker

 

  I was in the mezzanine café’ of the Dallas Hilton Anatole for the 2022 CPAC. Across the round table was former ICE Director Tom Homan and FOX Contributor Larry Elder. My friend Mr. 2010 former ICE Special Agent Victor Avila worked for Tom, and we were discussing the border issues that the public never hears about. Victor is the World Record holder for the longest handgun shot. That’s 1.14 miles or 2010 yards! It takes 11.7 seconds for the bullet to hit its target!

   There was a group a few feet behind Tom and Larry, and I could see them clearly.  The interactions around a tall man who wore his Stetson well was entertaining. I couldn’t help but notice his easy smile and obvious courtesy to several people who approached him. Now, I don’t see colors or auras or any of that mystical stuff, but I’ve been around enough to see Character!

  When it was time for Larry Elder to go speak, we got up and photos were taken. I invited the man I had been watching to join us. I didn’t know who he was, but I knew he was Magnetic.

  We exchanged cards and I met Dr. Anthony (Ant) Thornton, the GOP Candidate for Lt. Governor of New Mexico! Ant has an athlete’s grace and natural smile that invites acceptance. He wears an aura of approach-ability like a welcome sign. I liked him immediately.

The Legendary Billie Faye

 

Moving to Sunray, Texas

BILLIE FAYE SCHUMACHER HAS GONE TO FIND ERNIE

I was privileged to work for Billie Faye and Ernie Schumacher at the Sunray Lumber Yard after school and on Saturdays most of my Jr. and Sr. year. Ernie was the mayor and had an office on the left side and Billie Faye had the right-side office where she handled the books with a smaller room just big enough for her Law desk and 2 chairs.

It was there that people came to plead their case and pay fines.  You see, she was also the Justice of the Peace. I was in constant awe as I watched them conduct business! They both would occasionally take me aside to explain a proceeding or why they made decisions and judgments.

I was watching the business of Sunray firsthand. On top of that, I learned about lumber and building supplies, I mixed the paint and learned all the tools and other cool things that a rural lumber yard would sell.

I had a pickup and often made deliveries. My first delivery was sand for little Jeffery Keith's sandbox. Betty Keith was so complimentary that I got a dime an hour raise! That was a big deal back then. I even caddied for Sunray's blind mayor a couple of times. Did you know he had 2 holes in ones after he went blind?

I was really on my best behavior working there and over the years whenever Billie Faye would see me, she would tell people that I was one of the best employees she ever had!

She was a tiny lady, but she lived a gigantic life! Her story is remarkable and lasted nearly a century. I kept in touch with her as much as I could

I visited her over the years. When she sold the Lumber Yard, she became the County Judge, and I was so proud of her. I made a point to drop by whenever I was in Dumas.

She was one of 9 and one of a kind born in 1926 and living through the Dust Bowl, wars, and most of Sunray’s history.

I saw her a couple of years ago at the Moore County courthouse. Sure enough, we were talking to the sheriff and she told him I was her all-time favorite employee. She had an incredible strength of character and I know that she inspired hundreds maybe thousands over her long life. I am so grateful to her and Ernie for those 2 years of incredible exposure to basic government and law while I learned so much more.

Prepare to be inspired by my Billie Faye

I NEVER THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING A GIRL COULDN'T DO

Sullivan's Old Town BBQ

                            

Sullivan's Old Town BBQ's Not So Secret Ingredients

Taste the beef!

I consider myself a BBQ snob in search of greatness. Throughout Texas I always ask the locals, usually the sheriff, where are the best ribs, brisket, and sausage in town. It’s a blessing and a curse. So many disappointments!

It was a pleasant surprise when I joined a friend, Jason Moore for lunch in Lewisville in Denton County, Texas at Sullivan’s Old Town BBQ.

I would compare his operation to two legendary establishments in Lockhart, Texas of Caldwell County the BBQ Capital of Texas.

Black’s and Smitty’s have been around for nearly a century. They were both formerly butcher shops that turned their scrap meats into all-beef sausage and smoked everything else that wasn’t steak or roast. They are very unadorned and unpretentious facilities.

The children still show up every day as they have for 70 or 80 years. That’s right. The kids are great grandparents. Black’s is the oldest family-owned and operated restaurant in Texas!

Terry Sullivan took possession of a years-old butcher shop near the end of 2019 and opened in February just in time for COVID. Even with all the restrictions, he and his staff are gaining an audience up here in Lewisville by serving up the same quality of pure Texas BBQ.

Since my friend Dan Law is the sheriff of Caldwell County, he took me to Smitty’s, Black’s, Luling BBQ, Kreuz Market, and Chisholm Trail. He introduced me as the Lone Star Reporter looking for a story. Over three days I was served up pretty much everything they felt they did the best, which was pretty much everything on the menu. Caldwell County BBQ

Of course, I ordered the sampler at Sullivan’s. Three types of meat and two sides. I could see the depth of the bark and the ring. Any decent brisket will have a bark. But that red ring just under the bark is the sure sign of a brisket that was smoked a very long time and can only be achieved at a very low temperature. The result is a juicy and tender reward with that clean taste of beef. No sauce needed.  

Texas Sheriffs call for Border Security Action

Sheriff’s from more than 20 Texas counties are asking Congress to take action quickly to better secure the border.

STATEMENT OF TEXAS SHERIFFS ON BORDER CRISIS:
The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas joins the Southwestern Border Sheriffs’ Coalition and the sheriffs of the State of North Carolina in announcing its support for,
and encouragement of, Congress to act promptly to secure the nearly 2,000 miles of the nation’s southern border and its ports of entry.

Congress can substantially improve public safety only by rationally updating and coordinating national policy in several key areas, including policy on physical
security—the construction of stretches of a wall or other physical barriers in strategic locations, drones and other technology, and manpower—on immigration, on law enforcement, and on economic and trade relations. In addition to securing the border, Congress’s goals should include preserving and strengthening international relations, the rule of law, and our long and rich friendship with Mexico and other nations.

Texas sheriffs recognize that the nation has several competing goals in the field of border security and that it has limited resources. A broad-based and long-term solution will be difficult and expensive. But outdated and uncoordinated public policies are creating an increasing threat to public safety at home and abroad. How many more hundreds of thousands of Americans must perish from drug overdoses before Congress is willing to stop bickering and work together with the President of the United States in a meaningful way to solve this crisis? Federal, state and local law enforcement on the border and across Texas acknowledge that the flow of illegal immigration into the United States is completely out of control. Yet, politicians blinded by partisanship, are
unwilling to concede that every level of law enforcement and the communities they live in along our southern border are overwhelmed by a tsunami of asylum seekers who make their dangerous journey knowing that untenable and outdated US immigration
policies won’t allow them to be turned away and returned to their countries of origin.

Criminals on both sides of the border are exploiting this humanitarian crisis and the lack of security on our border with Mexico. These same criminals are flooding our nation with narcotics and dangerous drugs, the likes of which has never been seen before. Texas sheriffs, therefore, add their voice to the growing expression of political will for Congress to act promptly to secure the southern border.

Respectfully,
Sheriff Gerald Yezak, Robertson County, President of the Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Tom Maddox, Sabine County, First-Vice President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Kelly Rowe, Lubbock County, Second-Vice President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of
Texas
Sheriff Buddy Mills, Gillespie County, Third-Vice President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Larry Smith, Smith County, Sergeant at Arms, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Gary Maddox, Lamb County, Immediate Past President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Jim Skinner, Collin County, Director; Legislative Committee Chair, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Pam Elliott, Edwards County, Director, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Ricky Jones, Franklin County, Director, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Jess Ramos, Lampasas County, Director, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Greg Capers, San Jacinto County, Director, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Larry Spence, Willacy County, Chaplain, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Harold Eavenson, Rockwall County, Immediate Past President, National Sheriffs’ Association;
Border Security Committee Co-Chair, National Sheriffs’ Association
Sheriff Chris Kirk, Brazos County, Former President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas; Government Affairs
Committee Chair, National Sheriffs’ Association
Sheriff Gary Painter, Midland County, Former President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas; President, Western States
Sheriffs’ Association
Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, Gregg County, Former President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Don Sowell, Grimes County, Former President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Dennis Wilson, Limestone County, Former President, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Sheriff Bill Waybourn, Tarrant County, Legislative Committee Vice-Chair, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas
Steve Westbrook, Executive Director, Sheriffs’ Assoc. of Texas

Unexpected Danger! 2017 Drivers Traffic Stop Protocol

Common Sense and Courtesy

By J.B. Blocker

With all the furor generated on the social media concerning the shooting of a man during a traffic stop, it occurred to me that many don’t seem to know how to behave if you are stopped! To me it seemed that logic and courtesy were all that was necessary in order to make the stop as safe and painless as it could be considering the circumstances!

I began calling the ‘Best of the Best’ to help me get this right. These friends have served for years in several branches of Texas law enforcement. They include Sheriff Harold Eavenson the President of the National Sheriffs Association, Carrollton Chief of Police Rex Redden, Director of the Texas Border Sheriffs Association Don Reay, Senate Candidate and past Top Texas Game Warden Peter Flores, Kirk Launius the GOP candidate for Dallas County Sheriff, Howe Chief of Police and License To Carry instructor Carl Hudman, and former Texas Highway Patrol/Texas Ranger Lee Young and Sheriff David Byrne to help sort out what rules have been approved and practiced by their various departments.

Of course I might add that when Game Wardens and Texas Rangers make a stop, it is rarely for a traffic or vehicle violation.

I did a lot of listening as they guided me through not only the regulations but also the reasoning behind the suggested actions for the officer and the driver. With their help I have compiled a Drivers Traffic Stop Protocol that should be an aid to the well being of the driver and officer alike.

Ranger Lee Young simply added common sense leads to less problems. Peter Flores and Don Reay each said in their own West Texas styles, It really boils down to common sense and courtesy. To which I respond, “Common sense seems to be a missing ingredient to a lot of people. Especially when they are being pulled over!”

Since I took my license exam in the 70’s, I wasn’t really sure what the rules are on a Texas Driver’s License Exam. So let’s start there! 

Texas Driver Handbook 2014 revised pg. 66

If you are stopped by law enforcement it is suggested that you:

1.Move the vehicle safely to the right of the road as soon as possible and stop

2. Place the vehicle in a parking position, set the emergency brake, turn the engine off, and activate the hazard warning lights

3. Remain in the car, lower the driver’s window, and wait for the law enforcement officer to give instructions

4. Follow the instructions of the law enforcement officer

5. Require passengers to remain in the car unless other instructions are given by the law enforcement officer

6. Give the appropriate signals and safely return to the proper lane of traffic when released by the law enforcement officer.

What if you are carrying a weapon? Every LTC instructor in Texas is required to impart this to their students during their class.

A.      Have your driver license and LTC immediately accessible.

B.      Do not make quick movements especially when the officer is present or approaching.

C.      Have your hands on top of the steering wheel as much as possible.

D.     If at night, turn dome light on and roll down windows if tinted.

E.      Open window(s) for communication.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following is the result of the composite wisdom and experience of my friends who each have around 30 years or more serving and protecting.

Drivers Traffic Stop Protocol: Lone Star Reporter Version

1. Turn on hazard warning light to acknowledge to the officer that you are aware of them and intend to comply
2. Pull over to the right side of the road as soon as possible to a safe location.

It is permissible to drive far enough to have room to safely avoid traffic.

Park with ample safe space between the road and your vehicle

It is permissible to drive to a well-lit location

It is permissible to take a safer side street to avoid heavy traffic.

3. Place vehicle in park, set emergency brake
4. Turn off engine if practical based on weather condition (heat and air)
5. Turn on dome light if the conditions are dark
6. Make no sudden moves
7. Roll down driver’s window. All windows if they are dark tinted!
8. Remain in the vehicle and instruct passenger to do the same
9. Place your hands on the steering wheel and keep them there until instructed otherwise
10. Be Polite and wait for officer to give further instructions
11. If you are carrying a weapon, announce it to the officer and tell them where it is located, do not point or reach for the weapon
12. Tell the officer where permits, license, insurance, and registration are located
13. Do not reach for anything until you have been granted permission
14. When released give the appropriate signals and safely return to the proper lane
15. DRIVE SAFE, Don’t litter, and wave at people you pass. You are in TEXAS!  jb

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Former Dallas Police Officer, Kirk Launius the 2016 GOP candidate for Dallas County Sheriff gave an insight that civilians don't consider. "One of the most dangerous situations on a daily basis a peace officer faces is a traffic stop. You literally don't know what to expect. The dark tinted windows are especially concerning. Officers have been shot through the windows conducting a stop."

I feel it is prudent to know the training basis for law enforcement training. On a national basis the common curriculum is known as

The 7 Step Violator Contact  Rules of Engagement.

Another "Sign it and we'll count the cost later" legislation!

The Sheriffs of Texas didn't know about it. Neither did the Constables. Nor the Justice of the Peace, Municipal and County Court Judges, County Judges and Commissioners, or even most of the Legislators.

This is another Obamacare type, pass it and then count the cost once they accumulate type bill.

There should have been awareness by the state and county officials but there wasn't. The public should have a voice in this.

Look what has happened in New Jersey! Google bail reform. 

This will lead to elimination of Bondsmen services for misdemeanors and give the burden to the Counties. It will cost time and manpower. And we don't even know the cost of the programing or support elements.

By the way, about 93-97% of illegals who are given P.R. bonds and told to show up in court leave smiling and never look back.

Oh, and Chicago leads the way in P.R. bonds. How's that working out?

Contact your State Rep. and Senators now! The bill has been passed to the House and could be up for a vote by May 11, 2017! There is no time to waste! 

The best thing would be to Kill the Bill. The second best thing would be to put it on hold until those affected can have their voice heard.

jb

Issues and Concerns regarding SB 1338 and HB 3011 Substitutes

Will Bonds be set by computer programs?

  I was leaving a great night with law enforcement officers, spouses, and supporters for the Thin Blue Line Ball held at the Rock Creek in McKinney on Sat. May 29th. On the way home I get a phone call from Honolulu. 

  Dog the Bounty Hunter wants to talk to me. We share some common ground. I'm from the Dumas area and Dog is from Pampa. We have some other connectivity that kept the conversation going into the night.

  The reason for the call was to alert me to a bill which passed a Senate sub committee (S.B.1338) and (H.B. 3011) and goes to the floor this week. This is a bill that can be traced back to Soros/Holder connected legislation designed to reduce jail occupancy by allowing more accused to be released.

   I am doing my research. Today I talked to sheriffs, constables, JP's, police chiefs, and legislators. I have no opinions. Well, not exactly. 

  What about letting a computer program determine qualifications for Personal Recognizance bonds?

  The following is worthy analysis, then I ask for smarter people than me to chip in opinions.

jbblocker

Issues and Concerns regarding SB 1338 and HB 3011 Substitutes—Updated 4/20/17

These bills create a costly and unnecessary bureaucracy that would result in many unintended negative consequences. This seems especially problematic given that current law already provides Judges the ability to utilize PR and Pretrial Release options for those that cannot afford bail.

The proposed legislation is an Unfunded Mandate to Counties.  Cost of implementing the mandatory Automated Risk Assessment Tool and related costs to each county will vary but for reference: 2015 pretrial budget for Travis County was 5. 5 million; Tarrant County was 1.1 million; and Harris County was 7.2 million.  

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Texas Senate Bill 1338 Is it a good thing?

The Texas Senate is considering a bill to allow an increase of PR Bonds to those who can't afford a bond. There is of course much more to the ramification. It will affect the smaller counties differently than the big boys.
I have my opinions, but they don't count. Smarter people than I need to fill in the blanks.

	By: Whitmire	S.B. No. 1338
	(In the Senate - Filed March 6, 2017; March 14, 2017, read
	first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice;
	April 24, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
	Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 24, 2017,
	sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1338	By:  Whitmire

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to bail and to judicial education regarding bail
	practices.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended by adding Articles 17.027, 17.028, 17.029, and 17.034 to
	read as follows:
	Art. 17.027.  PRETRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT. (a)  The judges of
	the county courts, statutory county courts, and district courts
	trying criminal cases in each county shall adopt an instrument to be
	used in conducting a pretrial risk assessment of a defendant
	charged with an offense in that county. The instrument adopted must
	be the automated pretrial risk assessment system developed under
	Section 72.032, Government Code, or another instrument that is:
	(1)  objective, validated for its intended use, and
	standardized; and
	(2)  based on an analysis of empirical data and risk
	factors relevant to:
	(A)  the risk of a defendant failing to appear in
	court as required; and
	(B)  the safety of the community or the victim of
	the alleged offense if the defendant is released.
	(b)  A magistrate considering the release on bail of a
	defendant charged with an offense punishable as a Class B
	misdemeanor or any higher category of offense shall order that: